Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Hoffman Estates, IL: $102,929 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Hoffman Estates, IL earns a median $102,929/year (≈ $49.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Hoffman Estates's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $106,003 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hoffman Estates, the expected median annual salary for a nuclear medicine technologist is projected to reach $102,929 in 2026, slightly below the national average of $106,398. Salary ranges widely, with estimates showing earnings from $76,586 at the 10th percentile to $134,090 at the 90th percentile. This variation is increasingly shaped by the credential mix of technologists, particularly between those with PET/CT capabilities compared to SPECT-only certifications. Such specialized skills command higher pay, reflecting shifts in the job market. The current estimates are derived from BLS state-level data adjusted for regional cost factors, providing a clear picture of the financial landscape for nuclear medicine technologists in Hoffman Estates, IL.
About the Hoffman Estates Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,586 | $36.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,262 | $40.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,929 | $49.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $117,889 | $56.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,090 | $64.47 |
Median Salary Position
3.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hoffman Estates
In Hoffman Estates, IL, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,504 (2026 est.). At $102,929, the local median is 3.26% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hoffman Estates: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hoffman Estates Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Hoffman Estates median: $102,929/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hoffman Estates Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $103,342 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -3.26% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Hoffman Estates, IL earn a median of $102,929 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.26% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 0.40% below the Illinois state average of $103,342.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hoffman Estates has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hoffman Estates, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $102,929 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $106,003 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,409
2025 BLS Actual
$98,065
2026 Current Est.
$102,929
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Hoffman Estates (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,409 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,995 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,192 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,519 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,484 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,871 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,065 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,929 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,034 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hoffman Estates metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $75,409 (2019) to $98,065 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,034 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,625 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hoffman Estates metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.96% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $76,586 – $85,262 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,262 – $102,929 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,929 – $117,889 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $117,889 – $134,090 |
NMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nuclear medicine technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Job Market in Hoffman Estates
The local job market for nuclear medicine technologists features a small but focused workforce, with only eight professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 97.1, indicating that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power in Hoffman Estates remains favorable. Facilities that tend to pay the most include hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, particularly those that offer specialized services like theranostics with lutetium-177 therapies. The pay disparity in the region often stems from the need for cross-training, on-call coverage, and the growing importance of PET/CT experience. To maximize earnings, technologists should focus on obtaining advanced certifications and consider seeking employment in higher-paying outpatient settings or specialized clinics, as these positions are increasingly well-compensated and have greater demand.
More salary data for Hoffman Estates, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Hoffman Estates, IL in 2026?
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Hoffman Estates?
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Written by Alexandra Chen, MS, CNMT
Career Analyst
Alexandra has 10 years of experience in nuclear medicine. She specializes in PET imaging at a community hospital. She analyzes trends in the nuclear medicine job market.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $98,065 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Hoffman Estates metropolitan area. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Hoffman Estates is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nuclear medicine technologists (SOC 29-2033).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, MS, CNMT, a licensed nuclear medicine technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov